In a crowded field of seven candidates vying for California's governorship, a rare moment of consensus emerged during a CNN debate in East Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. As the entertainment industry faces an exodus of productions to other states and countries, the contenders largely agreed on the need for unlimited tax credits to bolster Hollywood, moving beyond the state's current $750 million cap on such incentives. The two-hour event, moderated by Elex Michaelson and Kaitlan Collins, drew a national audience and highlighted the high stakes of the race, with the top two finishers in the June primary advancing to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.
The debate, held in a bustling venue in East Los Angeles, saw candidates frequently interrupting one another and launching pointed attacks, but the discussion on Hollywood provided a brief respite from the fray. Co-moderator Elex Michaelson pointed out that several candidates had proposed scrapping the $750 million limit in favor of open-ended tax credits for film and television productions. Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat, endorsed the idea, criticizing past state leaders for their complacency. “It’s a competition we can and must win," she said. “We have the most talented workforce. We have the best higher education system. But we do have to be competitive.”
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, also a Democrat, described the gubernatorial contest as an “existential election for Hollywood.” He supported unlimited tax credits but emphasized that they should apply broadly, including to high-level executives. “It needs to be above and below the line,” Villaraigosa said. “The notion too many people in Sacramento believe it should just go to camera operators and make up people. It has to go to everyone.” Other candidates, including Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra, did not directly respond to the question before Michaelson shifted topics, though the agreement underscored a shared concern over the industry's woes.
California's film and TV sector has been hemorrhaging jobs and projects amid rising costs and competition from locales like Georgia and New Mexico, which offer generous incentives. According to industry reports, production spending in the state dropped significantly in recent years, prompting calls for reform. The debate's focus on Hollywood reflects its economic importance to the state, employing hundreds of thousands and contributing billions to the economy annually.
Beyond the entertainment topic, the stage was a battleground of personal attacks and policy clashes. Recent polls show Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator endorsed by former President Donald Trump, leading on the right, while Democrat Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has surged near the top following Rep. Eric Swalwell's withdrawal from the race. Becerra became a prime target for his Democratic rivals, with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan accusing him of mishandling migrant children and health care fraud during his HHS tenure. “There’s a lot of talk on this stage, but we should be honest,” Mahan said. “The experience we hear from Secretary Becerra didn’t lead to better outcomes. That led to 85,000 migrant children who were lost. More fraud in our health care system.”
Villaraigosa piled on, linking Becerra to a scandal involving his former chief of staff, who pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. Becerra deflected the criticisms, repeatedly stating he was “not involved” and was not named in the indictment. “I think everyone’s invoking my name,” he remarked. “It’s nice to hear my name quite a bit.” He further accused his opponents of distorting facts and borrowing from “Trump lies” to undermine him. “I will tell you this: Distorting the facts in your quest to be governor is never good, but using Trump lies to try to damage your opponents is worse.”
The attacks extended across party lines, with Villaraigosa challenging Hilton's credentials and refusal to acknowledge Trump's 2020 election loss. As Hilton criticized one-party Democratic dominance in Sacramento, Villaraigosa interjected, “How can you say that Democrats have it wrong when you can’t admit that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election?” Hilton, who has consolidated conservative support post-endorsement, focused his fire on Democratic spending and policies.
Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who has poured more than $130 million into his campaign according to The New York Times, faced barbs over his wealth and progressive stances. Even Hilton took aim, saying, “You pay the lowest tax rate of anyone on this stage.” Steyer brushed off the comment, outlining plans to target oil companies with pollution fees and a windfall profits tax. “I’m going to go after the oil companies, make them pay for their pollution and have a windfall profits tax," he said. “I am going to drive down costs for working people.” Steyer also pledged support for a wealth tax if it appeared on the November ballot, a position unique among the candidates.
One of the debate's more contentious exchanges involved Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the other Republican on stage, and his past criticisms of Hilton. Co-moderator Kaitlan Collins pressed Bianco on quotes he gave to The Atlantic, where he called Hilton “unethical and dishonest” and accused him of trying to “manipulate Californians” and “swindled his way into the Republican side.” Bianco initially denied using the word “swindle,” but after Collins read the full context, he conceded, “I probably did say that. I didn’t use the word ‘swindle,’ whatever it was. But that context, I will agree with you 100%.” When Collins followed up, asking if he stood by the quote, Bianco's response highlighted the heated intra-party tensions.
Democrats sought to differentiate themselves as bulwarks against Trumpism, which remains deeply unpopular in California. Mahan warned against “more MAGA values, but we also don’t need more of the same.” Porter was more direct, declaring, “Donald Trump sucks.” Becerra positioned his experience as key to countering national Republican threats.
Porter, known for her sharp questioning style as a former law professor, faced scrutiny over her own temperament after a video from last year showed her berating a staffer—an incident for which she apologized. She attempted to rise above the debate's chaos, saying,
“I can’t believe that on a stage with 30 minutes of interrupting and bickering and name calling and shouting and disrespect for everyone up here who’s stepping into public service that anyone wants to talk about my temperament.”Bianco shot back, “You were actually interrupting them, too. I don’t know why you want to act like you weren’t.” Porter's retort—“Oh, cowboy up, cupcake”—drew laughs but underscored the personal animosities.
The debate's national platform on CNN marked the largest exposure yet for the field, with candidates weaving in biographical anecdotes and achievements to appeal to viewers. The race remains fluid, with polls fluctuating amid endorsements and withdrawals. Trump's backing of Hilton has energized the GOP base, while Becerra's rapid ascent has made him a frontrunner on the Democratic side.
Looking ahead, the June primary looms as a critical juncture, determining the November matchup in a state where Democrats hold a supermajority but face internal divisions. The Hollywood consensus could signal broader bipartisan potential on economic issues, though the debate's barbs suggest a contentious path forward. As California grapples with housing costs, wildfires, and budget woes, voters will weigh these candidates' visions for the nation's most populous state.
Industry watchers hope the tax credit pledges translate to action, potentially reversing Hollywood's decline. For now, the debate has elevated the stakes, reminding Californians of the diverse challenges—and opportunities—ahead.